Thermostatic circuit-controlling device



Nov. 25 1924- 1,516,653 E. TREGON-ING v I v TERMOS-TATIOCIRCUIT CONTROLLING DEVICE F le 1 1920 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 Patented Nov. 25, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,516,653 PATENT'OFHCE.

EDGAR, TREGONING, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.

rnnnntos'rnrrc CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Application filed November 1, 1920. Serial No. 420,960.

This invention relates to improvements in thermostatically-controlled devices for progressively making and breaking 'a plurality of electrical-circuits, such for example as employed in shutterand damper-control systems.

One object of the invention is toprovide a device of the type specified which is of light and simple construction and economical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to render the device sensitive of control, quick and positive in action, and proof against derangement or getting out of order.

Other objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation of my 1mproveddevice; I

Fig. 2, a vertical sectional view of the same, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the errow 00;

Fig. 3, a vertical elevation looking in the direction opposite to that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4, a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 4-4. of-Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow 3 and Fig. '5, a'horizontal sectional view, takenon the line 5-5 of Fi 1, lookmg in the direction indicated by t e arrow 2.

My improved device as herein shown is especially adapted for use in controlling the shutter-mechanism employed in regulating the temperature of internal-combustion engines on airplanes and automobiles. Such a type .of apparatus is set forth in my pending application, Serial No. 322,073, filed September 6, 1919; but it is to be understood that the present invention is also applicable to other uses. 1

. eferring to, the drawings, the operating parts of the device aremounted upon a rectangularframe 2 comprising opposite vertical sides 3 and upper and lower crossmembers 1 and 5, respectively. The lower cross-member 5 or base of the frame is formed at its center with a circularflange or enlargement 6 from which depends an exteriorly-threaded hollow plug 7. The lug 7 is adapted to screw into a threaded hole in the cOoIing-jacketwhich surrounds the cylinders of the engine,.or it may be held in any suitable bracket or support to attach the device in operative position in the location desired. Secured within theshollow plug 7 and depending therefrom is a vertical tube or barrel 8, see Fig. 2, adapted to enclose the thermal-coil or unit 10 which operates the circuit-making and -breaking devices. The coil 10 is constructed of suitable thermal material adapted to expand and contract under variations in temperature, and as here shown it forms an extension of a cylindrical thimble 11 fitted into the top of the tube or barrel 8. The thimble 11 is provided with a cap or head 12 which seats in a counterbore in the top of the base or flange 6, thus serving as a closure for the top of the barrel 8 and being old in place by a screw 13 as shown in Fig. 2. v The lower-end of the thermal-coil 10 is attached to a vertical shaft or .pintle 15 which is stepped in*a bearing in the bottom of the barrel 8. The upper end of the spindle 15 projects through the cap 12 and carries a gear-segment 16. fast thereon. An arm 17 extends upwardly from thezcap 12 and is bent over and bored to receive the upper extremity of the spindle 15 to provide an auxiliary bearing therefor. Referring to Fig. 5, one of the spokes of the gear-segment 16 is adapted to strike against the arm 17 whereby to limitthe turning movement of the spindle 15 in the manner and for the purpose as hereinafter more fully explained.

The gear-segment -16 meshes with a second gear-segment or quadrant 18 fast on the lower .arm of a rockable lever 20 which is formed with an extended hub ,21 pivoted between the side-members 3 of the frame 2. As shown in Fig. 1, a pair of pivot-studs 22 are screwed through bosses 23 on the sides of the frame 2 and are formed with pointed ends which engage suitable recessesv inv the ends of the hub 21. The studs 22 are setto provide a free bearing for the lever 20, and are adjustable to take up the Wear on the bearings. Suitable eheckamts 24 on the ends to form a camelement for operating upon a series of contact-levers 30.

The contact-levers are pivoted on a horizontally-disposed shaft 31 extending between the side-members 3 of the frame 2. The levers 30 are provided with two arms 32 and 33 projectingfrom hubs 29 which are arranged with their ends abutting to space the levers along the shaft 31. The downwardly curved arms 32 of the levels 30 have their rounded ends disposed in the path of the rockable lever 20 so that the wiper-rod 26. will successively wipe thereacross whereby to depress the opposite horizontal arms 33 of the levers. The arms are provided -with openings at their ends in which are pivotally suspended a series of contactplungers 34. The contact-plungers 34 may be formed of wire bent to hook into the openings in thearms 33 and having their free ends held suspended within a series of bores or chambers 35 formed in a rectangular block 36. The block 36 is constructed of insulating material and is held in position at the ends of four parallel arms 37 extendmg forwardly from the frame 2.- As shown 1 in Figs. 3 and 4, the block 36 is secured to the ends of the arms 37 by means of suitable screws 38. The bores 35 in the block 36 are provided with a cover plate 39, also constructed of insulating material and fastened to the top of the block by means of screws 40. The coverplate 39 is provided with a series of apertures 41 through which loosely project the contact-plungers.34. Extending upwardly "through the insulating block 36 and projecting into the bottom of'the bores 35 are the binding-posts 42, to the outer ends of which are connected the terminals of one side of the electrical circuits to be controlled through the device-. The binding-posts 42 may consist of studs screwed into the 'bottom of the block 36Iand-earrying the usual binder-nuts 43 at their lower ends. Into each bore 35 in the block 36 is poured a small quantity of mercury 44 or similar liquid which acts as the immediate circuitclosing medium for making contact between the ends of the plungers 34-and the bindingof springs 45. The springs 45 are attached at one end to screws 46 screwed down through the overhanging cross-member 4 of the frame 2, and at the other end are hooked into openings in the arms 33 of the levers 30. The u ward movement of the levers 30 is limited y stop-screws 47 also screwed down through the cross-member 4, and adjustable in position to set the levers with their plungers in proper relation to the mercury 44. A Both sets of screws are held against accidental turning by means of check-nuts 48.

Having now described the structure and arrangement of the parts of my improved device its method of operation will next be explained. The frame 2 is attached to the water-jacket of the engine, or in any other position in accordance with the use to which it is to be put, by screwing the.plug 7 into a suitable threaded socket. The bindingposts'42 are then connected by suitable wires 50 to the various circuits to be controlled. and the cups or chambers 35 supplied with the mercury 44. When the device is applied to use with an apparatus of the type disclosed in my pending application above referred to the wires 50 are included in the several circuits connecting the operating solenoids with their source of current. Usually the mercury is not placed in the cups or chambers 35 until the device is set in position and the arrangement of the block 36 is such as to provide for convenient filling of the cups. This operation is performed by releasing the screws 38 which secure the upper portion of the block 36 and rocking the latter outwardly with the'lower screws acting as pivots. Before the block is tipped outwardly the cover-plate 39 is removed so that the contact-plungers are free in the bores 35 toallow the block 36 to be tilted to sufliciently expose the'openings of the bores. Only a very small quantity of mercury is placed in the cups and its capillary attraction prevents it from slopping up and down there n under the infiuence of jars or shock. 1,

After the device has beenZset 'in position and the cups 35 supplied with lire reury with the plungers 34gsuspended thereabove the mechanism operates as follows: A rise in temperature will cause the thermal-unit or coil 10 to expan d,-whereby its torsion will impart a turning motion to the shaft 15. The shaft 15 communicates its rotary move --ment-through the segment 16 and quadrant 18 togthe lever 20 which is rockedon its axis in the direction indicated by the arrow a, Fig. 2. The rocking of the lever 20 in .this direction will cause its cam-member or' wiper-bar 26 to progressively engage with the several levers 30 to successively rock the latter. As the cam-bar comes against the arm 32 on the first lever 30 it will rock the Ill) latter to depress its arm 33 against theaction of the spring 45. As. the arm '33 of the lever 30 is lowered its contact-plunger will be dipped down into the mercury 44: to

close the electrical-circuit at this point. The

continued movement of the lever '30 causes.

thecam-rod or wiper 26 to Wipe against the next lever 30 in the series and so on down the line. Aseach contact-lever 30 isacted upon by the cam-rod it willbe rocked to dip its respective plunger 34 into the mercury and in this way the-several circuits will be closed in succession in accordance with the increase in temperature which operates .to expand the torsion-coil or thermal-element 10. It is to be noted that the cam-bar or wiper 26 wipes across the outer rounded ends of the curved arms 32 of the contactlevers 30 and the action is such that the first lever is released before'the next one is engaged. .That-is to say, the contact-lever 30 first opera-ted upon to close its respective circuit is allowed to return to first position under the action of itsspring 45 to open this circuit as the next lever 30 is operated'upon to close its circuit. In a like manner a-drop in temperature will cause thereverse action of the thermal coil 10 whereby it will turn the shaft 15 inthe opposite direction to rock the lever 20 rearwardly, so that the levers '30 are then actuated in reverse succession to'thatabove described. The rear- Wvard movement of the lever 20 is limited by the engagement of the spoke bf itsgear-segment 16 with'fthe arm 17, see Fig. .5,-as before explained.- i 4. 1

The device. is so arranged that a very slight change in temperature will cause movement" of-the rockable cam-lever 20 and in this way a very sensitive control iseffected. That is tosay, a slight increase in temperaturewill cause the lever 20 to act to close the first circuit of the series, while a further increase will effect the closing of the second circuit, and so on throughout the whole series. Likewise, a drop in the temperature will cause the lever 20 to return toward its first 'position to open the circuit last closed,w then the next circuit, and so on in the manner as above explained. In the presentembodiment of the invention I have illustrated six circuit-closing Contacts-,but it will, be obvious that a greater or less num-.

ber may be employed if desired.

The contact levers 30' are of very' light construction and hence the springs 45 which hold them normally in raised position may be correspondingly weak. Therefore, it requires very little pressure to rock the levers 30 under the action of the cam-lever 20 and the mechanism is quickly responsive to the action of the thermal-element 10.. It will also be noted that the device is: extremely" simple in structure and arrangement, comprising a minimum number of parts which are so arranged as to be proof against de-- rangement .or getting out of order. The cam-bar or wiper 26 on the lever 20 is so constructed as to cause a slight pause between the operation of the various circuit closing levers in the series, and by altering the shape of the cam a quicker or slower action of the device may be provided for.

It will be understood that. the wires 50 which connect the device to the various circuits to be controlled from one terminal of the circuit while the frame 2 -may form the other terminal. That is to say, each wire 50 constitutes the positive pole of'the circuit to be controlled while the frame :2 may constitute the' negative poleby being groundedin the metal casing of the engine or'other part on which the device is used.

' Various modificat i'ons may be made in the structure andarrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, therefore .without limiting myself to the exact em-' 'bodiment-herein' shown what I claim is:

1. In a device of the class s ecified, the combination'of aplurality 0 electricalcircuits, a series of cups containing small quantities of fluid, constituting the termini of the circuits,- a series of plungers slidable within the cups, a rockable lever for operating the plungers individuallyin progressive order to dipthem into the fluidto selectively close the circuits, and a. tl 1'ermo-' statically-controlled means for rocking the lever in opposite directions. h

2. In a device of the class specified, the combination of. a plurality of electrical-circuits, a series of cups containing separate quantities of fluid constituting the termini of the circuits, aseries of levers arranged above the cups, plungers dependin from the levers within the cups, a rockab e eam lever adapted to successively operate the several levers to dip the plungers into the p fluid to progressively close the circuits, and

a' thermostatically-controlled element for rocking the cam-lever in opposite directions.

. 3; Ina device of the class specified, the combination of a plurality of electrical-pin. cuits, a series of cups containing separate quantities of fluid constituting the termini of the circuits, a series of. plungers adapted Y to be. individually ,dipped into the fluid to close the several circuits, and a thermostatically-controlled rockable ca'rmmember forsuccessively aetuating'the plungers.

4. In. a device of the e ass specified, the

combination of a plurality of electrical-circuits, a series of cups containing separate.

quantities of fluid constitutin the-termini of the circuits, plungers a apted to be dipped into the fluid, a series of levers for individually operating the plungers, a cam member rock able in opposite directions for progressively operating the levers to sue- &

oessively close the circuits in reverse order,

p and a thermostatically-controlledelement rockableflever provided with wiper-means for rocking the cam-member.

combination of a plurality of electrical-circuits, a pluralityof cups containing separate quantities of fluid constituting the termini of the cir'cuits, a series of plungers slidable in the'c'ups to dip into the fluid, a series of leversi'cdnnected to operate the plungers, a

for" progressively engaging the plungerlevers to rock the latter to successively slide the plunger-s, and a thermostatically-controlled element for operating the Wiper lever. r y

c6. In a device ofthe class specified, the combination of a plurality of electrical-circuits,,a plurality of cups containing fluid constituting the termini of the circuits, plungers slidable in the cups to dip into the fluid, means for normally maintaining the plnngers raised above the fluid, a rockable cam-member operable in opposite directionsto individually depress the plungers to dip them into the fluid to successively close the circuits, and a thermostatically-controlled element for operating the cam-member.

7. In a device of the classspecified, the combination of a plurality of electrical-circuits, a series of cups containing fluid constituting the termini of the circuits, a series of plungers slidable within the cups to dip into the fluid, a rockable lever for successively sliding the plungers in progressive order, and a thermal-element connected to rock said lever in opposite directions under variations in temperature. 5. In a devicev of the class specified, the

8. In a device of the class s ecified, the combination of a plurality of e ectricalcircuits, a plurality of cups containing fluid constituting the termini of the circuits, a series of'plungers slidable in the cups to dip into the fluid, a rockable lever for sliding the plungers, a thermal-element, a shaft adapted to b'e-rotated under the expansion and contraction of the thermal-element, and

means connecting the shaft to rock the lever.

9. In a device of the class specified, the combination of a plurality of electrical-circuits, a series of contact-members adapted to be operated to'close said circuits, a series of posite directions under the action of temperature changes to successivel actuate the contact-'plungers in reverse or er.

. In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

' EDGAR TREGONING. 

